BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[Tireman4]

Woo Hoo Bishops!!!!

[narch]

tough loss for the monarchs today, but, despite the sweep at the hands of the hated bishops, this was a good weekend for mu in my mind - going into the weekend i had some questions about this team, and they've all been answered

1 - are the monarchs really that good? (let's face it, the schedule hasn't been the most demanding, and they've missed out on 2 conference weekends)...the answer is yes, this is a legit team - if not for one bad play in the 8th inning on saturday, mu comes out of the weekend 1-1 against a ncwc team that i think is fully legit...and mu played the weekend series without 2 big time bats (proctor and davis)

2 - could the freshman arms perform in an important weekend series?  yup...they went 11.1 innings giving up 11 hits, 5 er and striking out 9 between them, and they kept the monarchs in both games...not bad for a couple of young pups

3 - is landon jordan healthy?...i'm not a doctor, but he looked really sharp in the three innings he pitched on saturday...the hit he gave up to williford was on an 0-2 count, and williford appeared to have been fooled badly...but the ball made it over the 2b's head

4 - can the bats stay hot?  things were bound to cool down, but the monarchs did manage 19 hits in 2 games against very good pitching...they didn't get enough timely hits, but i was pleased with their approach at the plate on saturday

i'm satisfied that this is a team that should be very competitive going forward, and could be very scary come tournament time (when it counts)

the schedule doesn't get easier this week...a trip to lc tuesday and then the quakers come into town on thursday

[hokieone]

USAS looks like a dogfight, pure and simple. Had NCWC lost game two yesterday, there would be a 6 way tie for first!   Everyone looks capable on any given day of beating anybody else, and there are lots of hot bats and hot arms across the board. Brinkman (CNU), Moore (NCWC), Hildreth (Averett) and Van Sickler (SU) have all impressed me a legit #1 pitchers, and we've yet to see Greensboro and Methodist, who both sound like they're carrying some quality arms as well.

Does anyone know if there is truly a rule that requires a team to have played 9 conference game to be regular season title eligible? I've heard that but can't vouch for accuracy.  Last year having the #1 seed didn't seem to give any advantage in the tournament schedule and the rumor mill (again) says that's been changed, but don't know how accurate that is either.   Looking for real knowledge.   

[coachmilburn]

As I understand it, 10 conference games must be played to be eligible for Conference champ.  I believe the 10 games apply to the seeding as well.  If you do not get 10 games in, then your team will be seeded last.

When 18 conferences games were played, I believe the number was 15 games.

If this is wrong, someone can correct me.

[NCWC]

3 - is landon jordan healthy?...i'm not a doctor, but he looked really sharp in the three innings he pitched on saturday...the hit he gave up to williford was on an 0-2 count, and williford appeared to have been fooled badly...but the ball made it over the 2b's head

Luke Williford was fooled on a pitch?  I will hear no such thing.

[LTBB1971]

Great win for NCWC over Methodist to make a sweep for the weekend in Fayetteville, NC.  Best game pitched of the year for Ben Moore...kid was a pleasure to watch.  Offense did just enough to get enough runs to win Sunday.  Was overall surprised how poorly MU played defensively.  They do have a young team that will be a force still in the South.   
I am not surprised anymore how Shenandoah is playing, I think they are for real.

[NCWC]

By the way:

Monday, March 23, 2009

Four Wesleyan athletes earn USA South weekly recognition

Fayetteville, NC - The North Carolina Wesleyan Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that four Battling Bishops have earned USA South Athlete of the Week accolades in their respective sports. Senior Luke Williford and freshman Ben Franceschi were named tabbed baseball's Player and Rookie Pitcher of the Week for the second week in a row, while senior teammate Ben Moore was tabbed Pitcher of the Week. In men's tennis, Antti Saari grabbed Player of the Week honors.

BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Williford, a senior outfielder from Edenton, NC, hit .526 (10-for-19) with eight RBI, five runs scored, six stolen bases, two doubles, two sacrifice files, one sacrifice hit, one triple and one walk in a 4-1 week for the Bishops. In a 12-0 win over Montclair State, Williford was 1-for-5 with two RBI, one run scored, one double and one sacrifice fly. In a doubleheader split with Tufts, Williford went a combined 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI, two stolen bases, one double, one triple, one walk and one sacrifice hit. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of USA South foe Methodist, Williford went a combined 6-for-9 with four RBI, two runs scored, four stolen bases and one sacrifice fly.

BASEBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Moore, a native of Smithfield, NC, appeared in two games last week for the Bishops and posted a 1.80 earned run average. In his first appearance, Moore tossed one scoreless inning of relief in a 12-0 win over Montclair State. Later in the week, Moore pitched a complete game, earning a win in a 5-2 victory over USA South foe Methodist. Through the nine innings, Moore allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

BASEBALL ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Franceschi, a native of Kitty Hawk, NC, pitched two innings of relief and earned his first USA South win in the Bishops' 5-4 victory over USA South foe Methodist. Franceschi did not allow a run on two hits with two strikeouts.

[hokieone]

CNU bounces back defeating cross-water rival Virginia Wesleyan, 5-3. Frosh Tyler McElhenny rebounds from a disappointing outing against VWC a few weeks ago to throw 6.1 strong innings and pick up his first collegiate win. DH Michael Romett continues his hot hitting with his 3rd home run of the season. The Captains are off  until a Saturday game against Mary Washington.   

[vabaseball]

That is a good win for CNU -- for some reason VWC often runs over CNU.

Anyway, nice outing for McElhenny.  I'm sure the Captains have been anxious for him to get in the groove.

[Catfishncwc]

That is a good win for CNU -- for some reason VWC often runs over CNU.

Anyway, nice outing for McElhenny.  I'm sure the Captains have been anxious for him to get in the groove.

I saw McElhenny throw earlier this year and thught he had some pretty good stuff, that would be a big lift for CNU if he can give them some valuable innings. 

[LTBB1971]

Greensboro loses two to pretty decent Huntingdon team which hurt their chances to get back to .500  Biggest series this weekend has to be between Greensboro and Methodist...should be a good one.  Does anyone know when GC and NCWC conference series will be made up?

I have not seen Ferrum play yet but NCWC travels to Ferrum to play a team that looks like pitches well and plays good team defense.  Should be a tough one.  I am hoping for another pitching gem from Ben Moore this weekend and CF Luke Williford and LF Joel Creef's bat to remain hot.

[Catfishncwc]

LTHSdad, G-boro vs. NCWC game is being played on April 8th. 

[A.G.]

Great pitchers duel today at LC in game with Methodist.  Britt went 7 IP and Jordan earned the save in 2 innings of relief as MU defeated LC 2-1.  Breedlove went 8 1/3 for LC surrendering 4 hits and allowing 2 runs, one earned.

[narch]

tre britt has been really bringing it lately, and today was a great performance against a very good team...big time stuff from him...really nice rebound win for the monarchs

has anyone seen the weather for this weekend...they're calling for showers all weekend long right now

[A.G.]

If we have another weekend of rain rain rain...the USAS may have ZERO teams that get the 9 (or 10) conference games in before the tourney.